Need to train professionals for conserving monuments: Selja

She identified professional training, capacity building, creating awareness among local population and stakeholders as some of the key factors that would bring about a change in the minds of the people.

"There is an increasing need to create enhanced sensitivity and capacity building at local, national and global levels for World Heritage and Sustainable Development," she said, inaugurating a consultative workshop on UNESCO Category-II Centre for World Heritage here.

Selja said governments, non-governmental agencies and civil society members should be roped in to maintain heritage properties.

The Minister also laid stress on imparting World Heritage education to youth and local population so that they work together for this purpose.

In her speech, Selja noted that most Asian countries have accelerated introduction of new laws on heritage protection which seeks to critically and comprehensively address the many aspects of heritage conservation.

In this context, she mentioned the enactment of Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites & Remains Act (AMASRA, 2010), by India for protection of the National Monuments and World Heritage Properties under the ASI.

India being a member on the World Heritage Committee, has an increasing responsibility towards implementation of the World Heritage Convention, she said, adding the country aims to take a lead and facilitate training and capacity building activities in the region.

Establishment of this Category-II Centre in India will facilitate development of competencies in training, research and partnerships, she said. (More)